"We'll see. Let's get everybody together," McHale said, according to ESPN.com. "I'm looking forward to getting together with the team and putting everything together. I feel really comfortable we can compete with anybody."

Howard is a known commodity around the league, and the Rockets just hope they get the player we all came to know in his first seven seasons. Howard dealt with injuries in Los Angeles, but still managed to compiled solid numbers.

"Everybody knows he's the premier big man in the league," Beverley said. "I'm glad [his decision] wasn't prolonged. The inside-out [dynamic] with him and James, I think, is going to be perfect. It's going to be fun. If you add Dwight, it's going to be a big boost. But no one has a crystal ball. Everything takes preparation and hard work and dedication, and that's what we're going to have to do."

There were very few who actually had information on where Howard would end up in free agent, mostly because of the sheer unpredictability his decision-making has provided in the past. McHale was in a unique situation to have a hold on Howard’s thinking.

"I had a pretty good feeling on it," McHale said. "But you never really know until everything is done. We had a great meeting July 1. I really thought positively. We could help each other. He's just got to get out there and play."

And while there was talk that Howard waffled on this decision, he maintains that he was steadfast in his belief that Houston provided the best situation. Howard was angered by the perception reports of his waffling projected, McHale said.

"The crazy thing was Dwight was flying from Colorado and the 50-50 [speculation] and all this other stuff, he was a little bit upset about that," McHale said. "He said, 'I didn't change my mind.' I had a pretty good feeling, but when it's finally done, you're really happy and looking forward to working with him after you sign him."

When completely healthy, Howard has been the NBA’s best center. McHale expects Howard to play up to his previous standards.

"When Dwight is right, physically right, he dominates the game in a lot of different ways," McHale said. "He's a unique guy. He can score 10 points and totally dominate the game. There are very few players in the NBA that can do that. He can bolt down the paint, block six or seven shots, get 20 rebounds, roll hard and get people shots without touching the ball. It's a good situation."